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blue network chimes and chimes identity

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To: Mr Keith Kiggins
From: W F Fairbanks
Date: July 21 1939
Subject: Blue network Chimes
Although you may not be directly concerned with this
matter, it is possible that other persons in the past have sent
suggestions for change in NBC's indentifying chimes to your
office.
Specifically, I would like to see some serious consider-
ation given to a change in Blue Network chimes that would unquestionably
identify the programs being carried over this network. Naturally, it
would be unwise to scrap the present three-note signal in view of its
years of public acceptance - however, this good will would not be lost
if the following change was made.
Briefly, if one, two or possibly three, carefully selected
notes were added to the present three note chime, the Blue Network
signal would not only retain the well known NBC musical trade mark,
but would also gain a unique label that would increase listener
familiarity and audience acceptance.
In view of the large benefits to be derived by Blue network
clients who wish to merchandise their program in other media as well
as the immediate gain in recognition by Blue Network listeners, I
suggest that sample recordings be made of a 4,5 or 6 note chime that
combines the present NBC "bong-bong-bong" with a new, distinctive,
musical appendage.
(Signed) William F Fairbanks
To: Mr William F Fairbanks
From: Keith Kiggins
Date: July 25 1939
Thanks for your suggestion regarding the
Blue chimes.
We have been investigating something of
the sort, trying to iron out switching problems
involved. Your idea of combining the present 3-note
chime with some additional notes, is a new wrinkle
and may be just the answer we are looking for. As
soon as we can figure out anything, I'll let you
know.
Incidentally, any other good suggestions
which you have are more than welcome.
Keith Kiggins
cc Messrs Saudek
Norton
To: Mr Keith Kiggins
From: Edgar Kobak
Date: July 3 1940
Let's see what we can do about
developing a separate set of chimes for
the Blue. We (being generous people) will
let the Red keep the present chimes. Maybe
we can develop our own chimes using the three
notes now being used and put on an extra one
that means BLUE.
Let's play with this one a little
bit and develop it before it gets out and we
run into a heavy storm of protest. There's
nothing like trying.
(Initialled EK) Edgar Kobak
c.c.
Mr Trammell

There is a check mark next to “Mr. Trammell”, and a handwritten note that reads “Ed–I don’t believe this is practicible from eng. point”.

To: Mr Niles Trammell
From: A L Ashby
Date: June 14, 1940
Sometime ago one of the men in my department
came to me with the following suggestion:
It seemed to him that while one of the prin-
cipal indentifying marks of NBC was our chimes, rung at
the station break on practically every program, the
average listener does not actually identify the chimes
with our stations and networks. We have from time to
time attempted to identify the chimes more closely with
NBC, and he suggested that it might be a good idea to
use our own facilities for that purpose.
With full realization of the fact that any
oft-repeated statement might become monotonous, he sug-
gested that it might be highly beneficial to the Company
if each time the chimes were rung, a short statement was
made on the air tying them in with NBC. While he admits
the following slogan is too trite and that something bet-
ter would have to be worked out, his idea was to use some-
thing along the following lines; immedately following the
ringing of the chimes:
"When you hear the chime, it's NBC time."
We discussed this suggestion at a department meet-
ing and one of the other men pointed out that any such state-
ment would cut down on the time of the station break, and that
many of our stations might cut the announcement off. He sug-
gested that we might have a vocalist sing the letters N B C
to the present tune of the chimes.
These ideas might not appeal to you, but I am bring-
ing them to your attention for whatever value they may contain.
[Signed] A L ASHBY

Note: This letter has two notes written in the margins. On the bottom is written “Listen to the familiar NBC Chimes,
your signal for fine radio entertainment.”; on the right side is written “Club Matinee NBC Sundays 8–9”

To: Mr A L Ashby
From: Niles Trammell
Date: June 19 1940
Dear Mr Ashby:
Thank you very much for the
suggestion about the announcement to be made
in connection with the NBC Chimes.
I think this is something we
should consider and maybe use the announcement
occasionally.
Niles Trammell
To: Mr Jules Herbuveaux
From: Phillips Carlin
Date: June 26 1940
About once a week at 4:30 when you make the break
on Club Matinee, varying the day you do it, we would like to
have you use the announcement, just prior to the break, "Listen
to the familiar NBC chimes, your signal for fine radio enter-
tainment."
We will use it also on Sunday night on our Pop Concert
at the 8:30 break.
Phillips Carlin
To: Mr Niles Trammell
From: Phillps Carlin
Date: June 27 1940
With reference to Judge Ashby's suggestion to you
about the NBC chimes, we are going to revive the - "Listen to
the NBC chimes, your signal for fine radio entertainment."
This announcement will be made occasionally on Club Matinee,
prior to the 4:30 PM break, and the Pop Concert, Sunday nights,
at the 8:30 break.
It may not be practical because of the limitation of
time to use the phrase, "When you hear the chime, it's NBC time",
but we're studying it.
We will also see what we can work out along other
lines.
Our feeling is, however, that the chimes are very
definitely connected with NBC and are recognized as such. There-
fore, any slogan that we use too much gets sickening in a very
short time.
Phillips Carlin
To: Mr Frank E Mullen
From: Roy C Witmer
Date: Jan 29 1942
With reference to the suggestion by Sherman
of WAVE Louisville that we change our NBC chimes to make
them sound the Morse Code for the letter "V".
If I though(t) for one moment that sounding the
letter "V" on our chimes even a million times would contribute
in the slightest to winning the war, I would certainly vote
for it with all my might. However, to me a thing of that kind
is just plain silly and accomplishes but one thing - it
confuses everybody.
Incidentally, how much are we charging the Blue
Network Co for the use of NBC chimes? It seems as though
we ought to get a little revenue out of a thing of this kind.
IH

This correspondence has “Mr Trammell” written across the top, possibly indicating that it was forwarded to him.
This appears next to a circular seal that reads “Received Mar 16 1950 David Sarnoff”

13 Lewiston Street
Franklin Square, N.Y.
March 15, 1950
General David Sarnoff
Chairman of the Board
National Broadcasting Co.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York 20, New York
Dear General:
The three musical notes which NBC uses to sepa-
rate programs -- could they not be slightly changed so that
they would sound like N - B - C??
Of course you know more about the subject -
there may be an FCC ruling on the matter or there may be a
technical impasse - but listening closely to the notes I
thought it might be possible. I don't mean anything as
horrendous sounding as Lifebuoy's "BO" - but a change in the
pitch and quality of the three notes that would make them
resemble more closely the sound of N-B-C.
If possible don't you think it would be a good
idea?
Very truly yours,
[Signed]
EDWARD REILLY
To: Mr Niles Trammell
From: George McElrath
Date: March 23 1950
Regarding Mr Reilly's letter to Mr Sarnoff attached, the musical notes of
the NBC chimes represent the letters GEC. I assume that Mr Reilly knows that a
note in the musical scale representing "N" does not exist. Therefore he must be
thinking of the Sonovox system of vibrating the sound of the human voice with
musical tones. This is accomplished by fastening a specially designed magnetically
operated headphone on the throat which vibrates the larynx with tone as letters or
words are produced vocally. The result would be to modulate the voise with the mus-
ical note G when "N" is spoken, E when "B" is announced, and C when "C" is repro-
duced vocally.
This suggestion was made when the Sonovox system was first introduced. We
cooperated with the program department in making these experiments, and the
concensus of opinion was that the result was unharmonious and would soom become
tiresome to the listener.
Attached is a suggested reply to Mr Reilly for your signature.
[Signed] George McElrath
Att.

Note: There is no record in the files as to whether the following letter was actually signed and sent.As with
the bulk of correspondence both internal and external, it is a carbon copy lacking letterhead and a signature.

March 23, 1950
Mr Edward Reilly
13 Lewiston Street
Franklin Square, New York
Dear Mr Reilly:
I was pleased to receive your letter of March 15th addressed
to Mr Sarnoff suggesting improvements to the sound of the NBC chimes.
From time to time we have made experiments to improve the sound
reproduction of our trade mark. When the Sonovox system was first
introduced we modulated the voice of announcers with the musical
notes representing the letters NBC and found the result to be
unharmonious.
Many years ago the musical notes of our chimes were selected by
musicians in our program department following extensive experiments
to find a series of musical notes which would sound harmonious when
reproduced together. Our unsuccessful efforts to produce a combina-
tion of tones which would be superior to those used for so many years,
which would be pleasing and harmonious to the ear and at the same time
would not become tiresome to the listener, is a credit to the
thoroughness of the work performed by those who selected the original
musical notes.
I appreciate your suggestion for the improvement of our musical
signature and trust that you will continue to listen to it and enjoy
our programs for many years to come.
Very truly yours,
Niles Trammell